Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
Researchers found that brain cells in specific columns cycle independently between active and inactive states during both sleep and wake. This cycling is linked to improved attention and response to external stimuli.
Research in mice reveals that gut microbe movements can influence a host animal's circadian rhythms by exposing different microbes and their metabolites as the day goes by. The study shows profound effects on host physiology, including changes in liver function and gene expression.
Researchers discovered that neural stem cells serve as RNA highways, transporting proteins and messenger RNAs to the endfeet. FMRP was found to be responsible for controlling mRNA movement and is linked to autism-related disorders.
Researchers at Caltech discovered a functional link between bacteria in the intestines and Parkinson's disease, showing that changes in gut bacterial populations contribute to motor skill deterioration. The study found that an imbalance in short-chain fatty acids regulates brain inflammation and symptoms of PD.
ARSACS affects brain movement coordination due to gene alterations, leading to uncoordinated movements and muscle stiffness. Researchers will generate stem cells from skin biopsies to create neurons for new insights into cellular defects underlying the disease.
Researchers have discovered unexpected cells in the protective membranes covering the brain that produce new neurons after birth. This finding challenges current ideas about the brain's ability to heal and regenerate, and opens up new possibilities for developing new therapies for brain damage or neurodegeneration.
The study reveals a rapidly-acting glutamate neurotransmitter called Vglut2 that suppresses feeding behavior in mice. The discovery suggests an important but unknown neural component of the satiety system is missing from current models, which could help researchers find solutions to obesity.
Researchers developed MEMOIR to record cellular histories in genomes, allowing them to analyze cell relationships, communication patterns, and influential events. The technique aids in understanding tissue and animal development, as well as the abnormal development of diseased tissues like tumors.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover a holy grail of gene editing, allowing precise DNA insertion into adult organs and tissues. This breakthrough enables partial restoration of visual responses in blind rodents and holds promise for treating retinal, heart, and neurological diseases.
Scientists have successfully synchronized two types of nano-oscillators, one driven and the other mutual, achieving robust synchronization over long distances. This breakthrough enables future oscillatory networks for wave-based neuromorphic computing.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have identified a gene that may permit early detection of Alzheimer's disease. The RGS2 gene is involved in neurotransmission signaling and its reduced expression increases the sensitivity of brain neurons to toxic effects of amyloid-β, a protein associated with the disease.
Research reveals that mutations in succinate dehydrogenase lead to distinct disease phenotypes, with tumors showing loss of complex I and impaired cellular fitness. Neurodegeneration, on the other hand, does not result in loss of complex I, leading to a metabolically different phenotype.
A multidisciplinary team created a living bio-hybrid system that connects neurons in the brain to human-made electronic devices. The research used Raman spectroscopy to analyze biocompatibility and functionality of adhering cells, paving the way for seamless interfacing between machines and nervous systems.
The study found that neurons fire to relatively few concepts, which tend to be largely related. Internet searches were used to establish degree of association between concepts and show that these associations are encoded by neurons in memory areas.
The study found that the GSK3 enzyme regulates the persistent sodium current, which affects a nerve cell's excitability and firing activity. This discovery may lead to chronotherapeutics, where treatments are tailored to the time of day to maximize health benefits and minimize side effects.
A recent study published in Science Advances found that over 85% of pain-sensing neurons are sensitive to one specific type of painful stimulus. This challenges previous findings suggesting most neurons respond to all types of pain.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience has made significant discoveries about the effects of anesthesia on brain activity. The researchers found that neurons under anesthesia become highly synchronized and more sensitive to environmental stimuli, which challenges traditional views on consciousness.
Researchers found that rats only enjoy ticklishness when they are in a good mood, similar to humans. The study also suggests that the somatosensory cortex may play a role in regulating mood.
A team of researchers identified three novel proteins that act together on clock neurons to make the clock light responsive. The Quasimodo protein regulates light responses in the fly's clock neurons, controlling the circadian rhythm.
A collaboration of 32 researchers found a genetic mutation in the PINK1 gene that confers a risk for developing Parkinson's disease earlier than expected. The study showed that a specific mutation impairs the PINK1-PARKIN pathway, leading to damaged mitochondria accumulation and neurodegeneration.
Researchers identify ATR gene as crucial for brain tumor growth and development, developing nanoparticle-formulated drug to block tumor growth. The investigational treatment shows promise in reducing cerebellar growth by causing cell death in neural progenitors.
Chronic neurodegenerative disorders are progressively altered brain cell functions, but nanotechnology offers a solution with bio-engineered systems that interact at a molecular level. Nanomedicine improves drug efficacy with sustained release, reduced toxicity and fewer side effects.
Researchers discovered a neural circuit in fruit flies that creates an internal representation of direction and velocity, allowing them to navigate accurately. This finding has implications for our understanding of self-movement perception in humans and other animals.
A recent CU Boulder study has shown that mitochondrial division is a complex process involving at least three constriction steps and two proteins, Drp1 and Dyn2. The discovery changes the understanding of mitochondrial function and its role in cellular processes such as energy generation and longevity.
A new model of brain dynamics, extending balanced network theory, provides deep predictions linking brain circuits to activity. The model accurately explains experimental findings on neuronal variability in living animals, enabling potential discovery of neural signatures associated with learning or disease.
Researchers found that distinct tau aggregate conformations cause different pathological patterns in the brain, affecting specific regions and progressing at varying rates. This discovery has implications for developing targeted therapies and diagnosing dementias.
A research team at CRCHUM discovered that the ABHD6 enzyme in certain brain neurons plays a key role in controlling body weight. Blocking this enzyme disrupts normal metabolism and prevents mice from losing weight, even under ideal conditions.
A new technology, developed by University of Calgary researchers, enables recording brain cell activity for weeks with higher resolution than conventional methods. This allows researchers to investigate neurological diseases and cognitive functions like learning and memory in animal models.
Early epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in determining the fate of neurons during embryogenesis. Deregulation of Uhrf1, a key epigenetic gene, leads to activation of endogenous retroviruses, causing accumulation of retroviral proteins and cell death.
A new robotic technique developed by Georgia Tech researchers enables the reuse of pipettes in patch-clamping, a method used to record signals from brain cells. The technique has been shown to produce results comparable to those obtained with fresh pipettes and holds promise for accelerating neuroscience research.
A new study published in Cell Reports identifies two proteins relevant to Alzheimer's disease, Interleukin-4 and STAT6, which play a crucial role in neural stem cell proliferation and formation of new neurons. This discovery offers hope for the development of regenerative therapies for Alzheimer's.
Researchers identify two distinct genetic markers, Rspo2 and Ppp1r1b, corresponding to negative and positive neurons in the basolateral amygdala of mice. These neurons regulate behaviors tied to negative and positive stimuli, respectively.
Researchers studied Zika virus's effects on animal models during early postnatal development and at weaning, finding increased apoptosis in certain brain areas and cell types. This knowledge could help develop treatments for Zika-related birth defects such as microcephaly.
The NIH has increased its investment in the BRAIN Initiative to over $150 million, supporting 170 researchers at 60 institutions. This funding will help develop new tools and technologies to understand neural circuit function and capture brain activity.
Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered a protein called CRHBP that reduces anxiety in male mice by halting the activity of a stress-inducing hormone. In contrast, the same protein has no effect on female mice.
Sreekanth Chalasani's sonogenetics technique uses ultrasonic waves to selectively activate cells in mammals, opening doors to deep brain stimulation, pacemaker technology and more. The $1 million grant from the BRAIN Initiative could lead to breakthroughs in treating neurological disorders.
Researchers found that depriving brain tumor cells of cholesterol specifically kills them and causes tumor regression. This alternative method targets glioblastomas, the most aggressive form of brain cancer, which are difficult to treat due to their biochemical composition and blood-brain barrier.
Quiescent human cells exhibit an inflammatory profile similar to acute infections when energetically stressed, suggesting a pro-survival strategy may not be well-suited for long-term chronic stresses. This could impair genome repair and increase cancer risk.
Researchers used Real-time intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (RT-IMRI) to guide the transplantation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons into brains modeled with Parkinson's disease. The study found that RT-IMRI guidance enhances cell survival and improves procedure efficacy and safety.
Researchers found that induced neural stem cells promoted survival and functional recovery in mice modeled with ischemic stroke. The study also discovered that early administration of iNSCs protected the brain from ischemia-related damage, reducing infarct volume and enhancing sensorimotor function.
Researchers discovered a molecule, VGF nerve growth factor, triggered by running can help repair damaged nerve insulation in the brain. This finding could pave the way for new treatments for multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative disorders.
A study by McGill University researchers found that the brain's biological clock regulates thirst in the hours leading up to sleep. By stimulating vasopressin release, the clock anticipates dehydration and increases water intake.
Researchers discovered a population of previously unrecognized young neurons that migrate in the human brain during the first few months of life. These neurons contribute to inhibitory circuits, balancing excitatory activity, and are associated with the plasticity of the brain observed during postnatal development.
Researchers at the Universities of Dundee and Strathclyde have identified a mechanism that allows neurons to protect against spreading brain damage. The discovery, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that stimulating this network activity could limit major brain damage and shorten recovery periods.
A new study by USC scientists has mapped the electric current induced by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the human brain. The research provides solid data to develop science-based treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression and chronic pain.
Researchers identify peptide allatostatin A in Drosophila that regulates feeding behavior and promotes sleep, with effects comparable to human galanin receptor. The study provides insights into the complex interactions of hunger, sleep and digestion.
A new study at Duke University reveals that applying a tiny force to the Piezo1 receptor can change its behavior while it's already activated. The researchers used magnetic fields and nanometer-sized beads to manipulate the protein, which sits on cell membranes and plays a crucial role in sensing forces surrounding cells.
UAB researchers found that removing transcriptional bookmarks can improve reprogramming of human fibroblasts to create induced pluripotent stem cells. This process may increase the yield and quality of iPS cells, essential for patient-specific cell-replacement therapies.
A recent study published in Neuron found that hunger is a strong motivational force that can curb rival drives states like thirst, anxiety, and social needs. In the presence of food, activated neurons mimic the state of hunger, suppressing competing systems and guiding motivated behavior.
Researchers develop a portable biological factory platform that can produce pharmaceuticals, specialized therapies, and experimental biomolecules using freeze-dried molecular components. The technology is applied in various fields, including vaccine production and designer antibody development.
Researchers discovered that Zika virus infects cranial neural crest cells, which form the bones of the skull, without killing them. Instead, it causes these cells to produce signaling molecules promoting new neural cell formation, potentially leading to smaller-than-average skulls and disproportionate facial features.
Researchers generated induced pluripotent stem cells from Nijmegen breakage syndrome patients and found that the P53 gene plays a crucial role in neural development, leading to cancer and neurological impairments. The study provides a powerful tool for understanding the disease and may lead to new treatments.
Researchers identified molecules controlling cell repulsion through endocytosis, a process by which cells engulf neighboring protein complexes. This discovery provides insight into development and neuronal networks, as well as cancer growth and metastasis.
A new study led by TSRI researchers found that a compound can specifically inactivate alcohol-linked neurons, reversing compulsive drinking behavior in rats. The findings suggest a potential new approach to treating alcohol dependence.
Scientists at Whitehead Institute developed a novel method to isolate and measure mitochondrial metabolite concentrations, providing greater resolution than traditional methods. The new approach offers improved speed and specificity, allowing for more accurate analysis of mitochondrial function in various disorders.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed syringe-injectable mesh electronics that stably record neural activity in mice for eight months or more, opening up new possibilities for studying neuro-degenerative diseases and aging processes. The technology also enables the delivery of electrical stimulation to the brain over three m...
Researchers found that when neurons fire in a coordinated rhythm, like different instruments in an orchestra, we remember the order of events. Notably, gamma activity associated with each object was temporally ordered along a slower theta oscillation when the order was correctly encoded.
Researchers at Salk Institute created a comprehensive map of the striatum, a lesser-known brain structure that controls movement. The study reveals how patch and matrix neurons coordinate diverse functions, shedding light on long-standing questions about neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.
Scientists have identified a specific group of neurons in the mouse hypothalamus that acts as the internal thermostat, regulating core body temperature. These neurons express the ion channel TRPM2 and limit excessive temperature rise in response to infection or trauma.
Researchers have developed a small device that can detect the initial signal of an epileptic attack and release a substance to stop it, all in the same area as the signal arises. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of neurological illnesses such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.